Dust exposures in the Canadian grain industry

Total dust concentrations measured in 8 terminal, 9 transfer and 14 country grain elevators ranged from 0.18 to 781 mg/m3. Results indicate that elevatormen performing housekeeping and maintenance chores or working in transfer galleries are more likely to be exposed to high concentrations. Dust exposures can be related to the amount of grain handled and the extent of dust control measures in effect at a worksite. The respirable mass fraction of grain dust varies according to the type of grain handled. The quartz, inorganic material and fungal spore content and particle size of the dust from specific grains were also studied.